So. I cant stop thinking about other bikes, and like when this happens with women, i find it best to just move onto another (i should explain. Im only a spring chicken!)

Problem is, i dont know what i want (bikes now )

Ive got a 2002 VFR800 vtec atm. I like looking at it (ive added an 8 spoker rear wheel, added satnav, heated grips etc etc) and its good. Its italian red and looks the part. Its fast enough too. Especially when you get into the 16v zone. Although i find myself not actually using it much and overtaking people below 7k quite often. However the fueling isnt brilliant.

I want something abit more exciting? not too bulky (i like corners), but fast (110bhp or more will do) but not an inline 4 unless its got a big capacity 1100 etc. i also could do with getting luggage on it.

Am i being too picky again?

Ive looked at a Trumpet Sprint ST 1050 but heard too many bad stories and not keen on the looks.

I cant think of much that excites me.

Top of the head ideas?

Budget £4-5k with time. Im tryna be sensible and keep saving for property haha.

Honda blackbird ? Had a couple, great bikes.

Agree about the sprint - great bike but a bit bland.

K1200s ? Heavy but quick.

Gsf 1250 ?

Does the luggage need to be hard ? I have toured on a 1050 speed triple, 2004 blade, 2006 gixer 1000. Its all in the mind about not being able to tour on such bikes.

I'm eying up a s1000rr as a bit of fun - not sure about the winter commuting though....lol

Honda blackbird ? Had a couple, great bikes.

Agree about the sprint - great bike but a bit bland.

K1200s ? Heavy but quick.

Gsf 1250 ?

Does the luggage need to be hard ? I have toured on a 1050 speed triple, 2004 blade, 2006 gixer 1000. Its all in the mind about not being able to tour on such bikes.

I'm eying up a s1000rr as a bit of fun - not sure about the winter commuting though....lol

Looked at the super blackbirds but i havent yet seen one that isnt arounf 30-40k miles haha. I know its nothing to them but ive gotta think about selling on after ive put 20k on it.

Wouldnt at all mind a BMW. Ill look into that cheers.

Dont want a bandit haha.

Hmm it doesnt have to be as such, but i do quite like it. Ive already got some givi v35's you see. Bits of plastic that cost a fortune .

Hmm. S1000rr in winter? Errmm. Is there an extra extra extra ON for the traction control? Haha

Yeah good point about the blackbirds. Suspension at that age will need looking at.

I run the newer k13 and its a proper missile. Sporty when you need it, mile muncher when you need it. The k12 is just as capable and could be had with the esa which is a revelation.

Fair play about the bandit lol I get that.

Yeah, need the 34hp power mode option for winter riding lol. The k13 is very very good through the winter but like you I've got that itch to change.

I am no spring chicken.

Keep saving for your property!

Yeah good point about the blackbirds. Suspension at that age will need looking at.

I run the newer k13 and its a proper missile. Sporty when you need it, mile muncher when you need it. The k12 is just as capable and could be had with the esa which is a revelation.

Fair play about the bandit lol I get that.

Yeah, need the 34hp power mode option for winter riding lol. The k13 is very very good through the winter but like you I've got that itch to change.

Sounds good! The k13 looks the part too imo.

Any common problems with em? Id imagine theyre pretty bomb proof?

Ill have a look tonight

Cheers

I am no spring chicken.

Keep saving for your property!

This is why i like to buy used, and wait around for a decent example at a decent price. Then when ive put a few miles on it, looked after it and decide to sell, i shouldnt lose anything or much.

Could even make abit if i dont keep em too long.

But yeah. I know what youre saying. Bricks and mortar n all that

This is why i like to buy used, and wait around for a decent example at a decent price. Then when ive put a few miles on it, looked after it and decide to sell, i shouldnt lose anything or much.

Could even make abit if i dont keep em too long.

But yeah. I know what youre saying. Bricks and mortar n all that

Ah ha! You are a sensible spring chicken. Nice one.

Yeah good point about the blackbirds. Suspension at that age will need looking at.

Suspension on pretty much any used bike will need looking at. Most OE shocks are knackered by 10k at most, and the vast majority of used bikes still have the fork oil they left the factory with.

I want something abit more exciting? not too bulky (i like corners), but fast (110bhp or more will do) but not an inline 4 unless its got a big capacity 1100 etc. i also could do with getting luggage on it.

Budget £4-5k with time. Im tryna be sensible and keep saving for property haha.

1050 Speed Triple? Or Tiger, if you're a girl and need a fairing?

Sounds good! The k13 looks the part too imo.

Any common problems with em? Id imagine theyre pretty bomb proof?

Shaft drive failures, electrical problems and the usual BMW ABS failures. BMW (bike) reliability is much like Mercedes cars - a reputation built in the past, on past models, that they no longer come close to living up to.

I have said it before but try the Triumphs.  Dealers are very keen to let you have a test ride and not just a quick blast round the block.  In fact even if you don't fancy one try a Tiger Explorer and I bet it will have you grinning from ear to ear.  The Sprint is a good bike to ride and in fact I preferred it to the VFR because it didn't have that awful fuelling and the triple sounds good.  I have been out on the Tiger this morning two up and it has all the power I need and more so well worth a bash on one even if you don't buy in the end.

Shaft drive failures, electrical problems and the usual BMW ABS failures. BMW (bike) reliability is much like Mercedes cars - a reputation built in the past, on past models, that they no longer come close to living up to.

Cant be that bad, my dads always had BMW's, goes all over the world on em and not had a problem yet. Fingers crossed!

Sounds good! The k13 looks the part too imo.

Any common problems with em? Id imagine theyre pretty bomb proof?

Ill have a look tonight

Cheers

Engine is pretty bullet proof, few leccy gremlins, final drive seal. General finish is good certainly better than most bikes I've owned.

1050 Speed Triple? Or Tiger, if you're a girl and need a fairing?

The tiger sport 1050 is a genuinely good bike but runs out of grunt very quickly in typical 3 cylinder style. Loved my 1050 speed triple, real back road scratcher. Just useless on long jaunts.

and the triple sounds good

Don't they just

The tiger sport 1050 is a genuinely good bike but runs out of grunt very quickly in typical 3 cylinder style. Loved my 1050 speed triple, real back road scratcher. Just useless on long jaunts.

Depends what kind of long jaunts you do. It's no motorway bike (nor is it meant to be, obviously), but if I was going to do distance on motorways I'd take the car anyway. Like somebody already said, you can tour on anything.

I keep meaning to have a go on a Tiger Sport. I always said that the standard Tiger 1050 was too old man-ish, but could be fun if you dropped in the Speed Triple engine, forks and SSSA, Triumph must have been listening, lol.

As for running out of grunt, he's said previously that he doesn't like revvy bikes, and either 1050 engine would make a VFR800 vtec feel flat as a witches tit in comparison.

Tiger Sport is out of his stated budget, unfortunately, but older examples of the standard Tiger or Speed Triple within it.

Any version of the tiger is not shabby to be fair. A very competent all rounder.

Aprillia Falco. you'll get a very low mileage one for your budget.

 

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/aprilia/sl1000-falco/1999/

 

or a ZZR1400 which handles much better than my previous Blackbird but a few issues on the early ones at the money you're talking.

Anything thats ****e on the motorway is abit pointless to me tbh.

Not ridden the 1050 triple, but do need to book a test ride on something dont i .

Eh that Aprillia Falco is one out the blue! And i like the look of that tbh. I like a V twin. As much as Striple likes to go against em haha.

I need to look into that further. Cheers!

I do like the ZZR1400, but it is a proper big heavy bike isnt it. Assuming it shows that on tight bendy roads?

Edited 11 August, 201510 yr by fabiamk2SE

Hmm zzr1400. Had a look at that, the hyabusa and vfr 1200 when I was changing the speed triple. The k1300, for what I wanted, was the kiddy.

Its heavy but the engine sits almost horizontally so once you're moving the weight really dissappears.

I love looking into buying new toys - keep us posted how things develop and deffo get some test rides !

Don't bother with the speed triple - you'll regret in on the motorway. Did a 500 mike stint one day out of work necessity and could barely hokd my head up at the end of it lol

A mate had a hayabusa. Hes abit of a loony and absolutly loved it. Said it was kinda boring though unless youre riding full bore. Had 175 out of it just before he sold it though. Ill not be going that fast lol.

I shall look at some test rides. Ive got a week off in a couple of weeks, so hopefully itll be nice weather and i can have a bimble around some dealers an act interested haha.

Ill let you know if anything develops. Liking the look of that Falco though i must say.

Got quite a soft spot for an Apillia....

The busa has amazing grunt I just hated the bulbous looks. Looks like it melted under a hot sun lol

I'm a fan of aprilia, test rode a factory tuono when I was buying the speed triple, it was ridiculous. Love the new rsv.

Yeah, love chatting bikes, get yourself round the dealers for a good drool !!!!!

Happy days

ZZR1400 did well on corners for me, surprisingly nimble as was the ZZR1200. I am still on the look out for a nice ZZR1200 cheap insurance, big power, over 50mpg touring, large tank ,comfy etc etc etc I WANT ONE NOW!!!!!! 

 

the 1200